Method and system for mobile network nodes in heterogeneous networks

ABSTRACT

A method, and a system for implementing the method, for creating an optimized communications link between at least two mobile network nodes, whereby lookup tables of available network interfaces may be created and updated periodically thereof, configuration data is transmitted between the mobile network nodes via an available signaling channel, at least one signaling channel is created via one of the available network interfaces based on the configuration data in order to transmit configuration data, and at least one data channel is created via one of the available network interfaces based on the configuration data, with the data channel being changed from one available network interface to another available network interface, after determining by the use of the lookup table that quality of service of the one available network interface is insufficient.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/576,973, which was filed on Apr. 10, 2007, and which claims priorityfrom PCT Application No. EP04/52501 filed on Oct. 11, 2004.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention concerns a method and a system for creating anoptimized communications link and/or an optimized communications networkbetween at least two mobile network nodes. The invention concerns inparticular optimized communications links and/or optimizedcommunications networks for mobile network nodes in heterogeneousnetworks.

STATE OF THE ART

All around the world at the present time, computer and communicationssystems are more and more being used to obtain or transmit largequantities of data, multimedia data in particular, over networks such asa LAN (Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network) or the Internet viae.g. the public switched telephone network (PSTN), a mobile radionetwork (PLMN: Public Land Mobile Network) such as GSM (Global Systemfor Mobile Communication) networks or UMTS networks (Universal MobileTelephone System) or via e.g. a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) etc.In this process, data are represented and/or processed and/or madeavailable in modified form to other computer systems. Such data includee.g. digital data such as texts, graphics, images, animations, videos,Quicktime and audio recordings. This also includes MPx (e.g. MP3) orMPEGx (e.g. MPEG7) standards, as defined by the Moving Picture ExpertsGroup. At the same time, in recent years the number of mobile networkusers, in particular Internet users, and the information offered there,have likewise risen exponentially worldwide. The increasing range of IP(Internet Protocol)-capable mobile devices, such as PDAs (PersonalDigital Assistants), mobile radio telephones and laptops goes hand inhand with this development. The transition from fixed network nodes innetworks to more flexible requirements due to increased mobility hasonly just begun. In mobile radio telephony, for example, this tendencyalso shows up, among other things, in new standards such as GPRS(General Packet Radio Services), EDGE (Enhanced Data GSM Environment),UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications Service), HSUPA (High-SpeedUplink Packet Access) or HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access). Inorder to understand the difference between present reality and the IPconnection possibilities of the future, a comparison can be made withthe development of telephony in the direction of mobility over the lasttwenty years.

Mobile computer use differs in many ways from computer use andnetworking capability on landline networks. Nowadays, for mobile networkuse, there are usually several different network standards available forlinking a mobile network node to a network. The various networkconnections however typically differ widely in regard to security, datathroughput rate, quality of service (QoS) parameters, costs of datatraffic or usage time etc., as a function of the location, the networkconnection etc. In particular, a connection may be temporarilycompletely interrupted. A mobile user may have worked initially e.g. bymeans of a fixed network connection on their company network, then maycontinue to work during a transfer by taxi to the airport e.g. by GPRSor UMTS over a mobile radio network, and finally at a WLAN Hotspot orAccess Point in the airport waiting room. In this process, an existingnetwork access should not be interrupted by applications of the mobilenetwork node when the user changes their location on the network. On thecontrary, it should be possible for all changes of connection andinterface, e.g. when changing between similar or different networks(Ethernet, mobile radio network, WLAN, Bluetooth etc.) to occurautomatically and not interactively, so that the user need not even beaware of them. This also applies to a change of interface, e.g. duringthe use of real-time applications. To make more sense, it should bepossible for a change of interface to be additionally optimized at themobile network node, based on data-transmission bandwidth, costs,security etc. Ideally, it should of course be possible for this to beautomated. Genuine mobile computing displays many advantages, based onaccess, e.g. to the Internet, that is stable at all times. Only withsuch access can work be genuinely free and independent of the desk. Therequirements imposed on mobile network nodes in networks differ invarious ways, however, from the development in mobile radio technologymentioned above. The end points in mobile telephony are usually persons.With mobile nodes, however, computer applications can effectinteractions between other network subscribers without human involvementor intervention. Sufficient examples of this can be found in aircraft,ships and motor vehicles. Mobile com-computing with Internet access inparticular, together with other applications, e.g. in combination withposition-indicating devices, such as the satellite-based GPS (GlobalPositioning System), can make sense.

When a network is accessed by a mobile using the Internet Protocol (IP),the IP is used to divert and/or route data packets from the sourceaddress to the destination address on the network using IP addresses.These addresses are assigned to a fixed location on the network, in asimilar way to that by which telephone numbers on the landline networkare assigned to a physical socket. If the destination address of thedata packets is a mobile node, this means that, on every change ofnetwork location, a new IP network address must be assigned, and thismakes transparent, mobile access impossible. These problems were solvedby the mobile IP standard (IETF RFC 2002, October 1996 and RFC 3220,January 2002) of the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), under whichthe mobile IP permits the mobile node to use two IP addresses. One ofthem is the normal, static IP address (home address), that indicates thelocation of the home network, while the second is a dynamic IP address(care-of address) that designates the current location of the mobilenode on the network. The assignment of the two addresses makes itpossible to divert IP data packets to the correct current address of themobile node.

The mobile IP of the IETF does not, however, solve all the problems ofmobile network use. As mentioned, when there are several transmissionchannels available, it can make sense to optimize the transmissionchannels in the mobile node based on data-transmission bandwidth, costs,security etc., since not all data necessarily require the same QoSparameters. Thus, for example, for the exchange of security parametersand/or configuration parameters, such as identification orauthentication by means of passwords, codes for data encryption etc.,the security of the connection may be much more important than e.g. thetransmission rate. In the transmission of large quantities of data, suchas multimedia data, on the other hand, bandwidth may play a greater rolethan data security. This applies in particular in arranging virtualprivate communications networks. Virtual private communications networksmake direct communications possible between communications partners(peer-to-peer), without allowing unauthorized third parties to join inthose communications or misuse data within the communications. Asdistinct from real private communications networks, virtual privatecommunications networks are set up over shared communications media andare typically secured against unauthorized third parties by the use ofcryptographic mechanisms. Shared communications media include mainlyelectromagnetic waves, in particular in the radio or infrared range.Various cryptographic mechanisms are known to the person skilled in theart in order to secure data communications over shared communicationsmedia, for example IPSec (Internet Protocol Security) and SSL (SecureSocket Layer), to create what are known as secure pipes. Great problemsarise in ensuring the authenticity of a communications partner, however,because even the use of passwords and/or user identifications offers noguarantee that they are being sent by the authorized user.

The patent specification U.S. Pat. No. 6,445,920 describes devices forthe configuration and/or creation of virtual private communicationsnetworks between communications terminals by subscribers on mobile radionetworks. According to U.S. Pat. No. 6,445,920, subscribers on themobile radio network who wish to participate in a joint virtual privatecommunications network are registered in a user database of the mobileradio network, the so-called HLR (Home Location Register), with arelated special additional identification code. According to U.S. Pat.No. 6,445,920, when a subscriber checks into the mobile radio network,such as the standardized GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication), auser identification is transmitted to the mobile radio network by anidentification module in the communications terminal of the subscriber,and is authenticated by means of a cryptographic

method between the identification module and an access control unit ofthe mobile radio network. According to U.S. Pat. No. 6,445,920,subscribers who are registered on the mobile radio network with thespecial identification code of a defined virtual private communicationsnetwork can call each other on the mobile radio network using registeredabbreviated numbers and have the benefit of reduced communicationscharges.

Although the problem of the authentication of subscribers is solved bymeans of the GSM authentication of the user identifications in thepatent specification U.S. Pat. No. 6,445,920, the document U.S. Pat. No.6,445,920 nevertheless gives no indication of how more than twosubscribers can jointly communicate on a virtual private communicationsnetwork or how subscribers can communicate with each other on a virtualprivate communications network outside the mobile radio network.Communications between two or more communications terminals on virtualprivate communications networks outside cellular mobile radio networksare however becoming ever more desirable, particularly in view of thespread of communications terminals fitted with communications interfacesfor shared communications media. Communications terminals are ever morefrequently being fitted with communications interfaces for localcommunications networks based on distributed communications media, forexample WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) modules, radio deviceinterfaces such as Bluetooth, and infrared device interfaces such asIrDA (infrared Data Association).

The patent application WO 2004/006468 describes a system for creating acommunications link between a first and a second transceiver. The systemincludes a communicator to create communications between the first andthe second transceiver via a first channel, a determinator to determinethe distance between the transceiver and whether the distance is below athreshold as well as a channel charger to set up direct communicationsbetween the transceivers via a second channel if that distance is belowthe threshold.

The patent application EP 1 455 486 describes a method for creating awireless connection between two communications devices. In a first step,a first communications device sends a communications signal via a firstwireless interface to a second communications device and the firstcommunications device activates a second wireless interface. The secondcommunications device receives the communications signal via a firstwireless interface and activates a second wireless interfacecorresponding to the second wireless interfaces of the firstcommunications device. A communications channel between thecommunications devices is then created via the second wirelessinterfaces.

The patent application EP 1 311 136 describes a method for creating acall connection from a user to a second network. Authentication data areprovided to the user terminal via an authenticated first network. Callconnections to a second network are authorized on the basis of theseauthentication data.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to propose a new method and anew system for creating an optimized communications link and/or anoptimized communications network between at least two mobile networknodes, which do not possess the disadvantages of state of the arttechnology. The new method and the new system are intended in particularto make it possible to create an optimized communications link and/or anoptimized communications network between mobile network nodes via ashared communications medium outside cellular mobile radio networks.

According to the present invention these objectives are achieved inparticular by the elements of the independent claims. In addition,further advantageous embodiments emerge from the dependent claims andthe description.

In particular, these objectives are achieved by the invention in that,in order to create a optimized communications link and/or an optimizedcommunications network between at least two mobile network nodes, afirst and a second interface management module of a first and a secondmobile network node checks the appropriate mobile network node foravailable network interfaces and creates a first and a second lookuptable of the available network interfaces of the corresponding mobilenetwork node; that first and/or second configuration data based on thefirst and/or second lookup table are transmitted over an availablesignaling channel (sSC) between the mobile network nodes, whereby theconfiguration data include at least communications parameters and/orsecurity parameters; that based on the first and/or second configurationdata at least one signaling channel is created via one of the availablenetwork interfaces to transmit configuration data by means of the firstand/or second signaling router module; and that, based on the firstand/or second configuration data, at least one data channel is createdvia one of the available network interfaces by means of a first and/orsecond data router module. In particular, the mobile network nodesnetwork can include interfaces to different networks, such as Ethernet,Bluetooth, mobile radio networks (GSM: Global System for MobileCommunication, UMTS: Universal Mobile Telephone System etc.) or WLAN(Wireless Local Area Network). An advantage of the invention is that, bymeans of suitable network interfaces, signaling channels and datachannels can be configured that are adapted to specific requirements andare thus optimized for them. The available signaling channel can forexample be based on a GSM network. The creation of the at least onesignaling channel can for example enable the available signaling channelto be relieved again immediately. Specific requirements and/oroptimizations may for example concern the bandwidth of a channel and/orthe costs of a channel. Optimizations may for example be taken intoaccount for specific users and/or under user control and/or automatedfor the appropriate parameters either generally or individually. Thiswas by no means possible in the state of the art.

In one embodiment, different network interfaces are used for creatingthe at least one signaling channel and/or the at least one data channel.Such an embodiment has the particular advantage that the at least onesignaling and/or the at least one data channel can be set up via aparticularly suitable network interface, such as a network interfacewith appropriate authentication mechanisms and/or a network interfacewith an appropriate data capacity.

In one embodiment, two or more signaling channels and/or two or moredata channels are set up, whereby different network interfaces and/ordifferent communications parameters and/or security parameters can beassigned to the individual signaling and/or data channels. Such anembodiment has the particular advantage that signaling and/or datachannels can be created redundantly via different network interfaces andthus, for example, in the case of moving mobile network nodes, greatlyincreased security of data trans-mission can be achieved. Such anembodiment also has the advantage that e.g. data throughput and/orsecurity etc. can be further optimized by the use of parallel signalingchannels and/or parallel data channels.

In a further embodiment, the mobile network nodes are checked foravailable network interfaces by the appropriate interface managementmodule at definable points in time, whereby the appropriate lookuptables are updated. This embodiment has the advantage that lookup tablesare always kept up to date and are immediately available in accordancewith the latest version. In particular, by constant monitoring of thenetwork interfaces and their features, changes between networkinterfaces can be made e.g. automatically if network interfaces withbetter features than those of the currently active network interfacebecome available. As an embodiment it is also possible for the criteriafor the automatic change of interface to be decided by the user and/orthe network operator. This has the advantage, among other things, thatthe user and/or network operator can configure interfaces veryindividually to correspond to specific needs.

In a further embodiment, configuration data are transmitted periodicallyand/or at definable points in time and/or in the event of an amendmentto a lookup table and, based on the transmitted configuration data, theat least one signaling channel and/or the at least one data channelis/are dynamically adapted and/or dynamically changed. The adjustmentand/or change may in turn occur automatically as an embodiment,including on the basis of criteria definable by the user. This has theadvantage that the mobile network node, depending on defined criteria,always automatically uses the interface with e.g. the currently greatestavailable data throughput and/or with the best price-performance ratioand/or the greatest security etc. for the signaling channel and/or thedata channel. In particular, network interfaces can also be dynamicallyconfigured. This has the advantage that, among other things, e.g. anyexisting services, such as a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)service, can be used, while handling is simplified for the user by theautomation of the configuration.

In another embodiment, the configuration data are transmittedunidirectionally and/or bidirectionally between a first mobile networknode and a second mobile network node. Bidirectional transmission hasthe advantage for certain applications that if a data connection isinterrupted, the connection can be reestablished more rapidly. E.g. theconfiguration data can also be stored on both sides, whereby even in thecase of a lengthy interruption the connection is reestablished based onthe stored configuration data and not e.g. via the available signalingchannel. Unidirectional transmission, on the other hand, has theadvantage, among other things, that it is always only one of the mobilenetwork nodes (e.g. master) that has to define the data connection.

In one embodiment, one of the data router modules and/or one of thesignaling router modules, as a master data router module and/or as amaster signaling router module, effects the coordination of the creationof the at least one data channel and/or signaling channel. Thisembodiment has the particular advantage that one single authority canparticularly efficiently effect the creation of connections.

In another embodiment, the configuration data include parameters todetermine data security and/or reliability and/or minimum datathroughput rate and/or the identification and/or paging and/or theauthentication of the at least one signaling channel and/or of the atleast one data channel. This embodiment has the advantage, among otherthings, that network connections can be optimized in accordance withfurther criteria.

In a further embodiment, the available network interfaces are at leastpartially dynamically configured. As above, this has the advantage,among other things, that any available services, such as a DHCP (DynamicHost Configuration Protocol) service, can be used, while handling issimplified for the user by the automation of the configuration.

Again, in another embodiment, the available network interfaces are atleast partially statically configured. This has the advantage, amongother things, that the configuration of the network interfaces is alwayscontrollable and/or viewable by the user.

In the case of all the embodiments mentioned above, it is possible in anadditional embodiment to buffer outgoing data packets in a data bufferof the mobile network node if the network connection of the mobilenetwork node is interrupted, so that the output data rate of one or moreapplications is maintained or kept within a defined fluctuationtolerance by means of the data buffer. The advantage of this embodimentis that, among other things, in the case of a change of the physicalinterface, the output data rate of e.g. an IP application can thus beheld constant and/or within a prescribed fluctuation tolerance, as longas the storage capacity of the data buffer is sufficient to store theoutgoing data packets. This in turn has the advantage that, in the eventof an interruption of the network connection, the data throughput rateis not brought down by the applications or the kernel.

At this point it should be stressed that the present invention, inaddition to the method to which this invention relates, also relates toa system for executing this method.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The different embodiments of the present invention are described belowwith the aid of examples. The examples of the embodiments areillustrated by the following attached figures:

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram that diagrammatically illustrates a methodand a system for creating an optimized communications link and/or anoptimized communications network between two and/or more mobile networknodes 10, 11. In this process, the at least one signaling channel andthe at least one data channel are set up and optimized separately.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram that illustrates a method and a system forcreating an optimized communications link and/or an optimizedcommunications network between two and/or more mobile network nodes 10,11, 12 etc. Here, the reference term sSC relates to the availablesignaling channel to, the reference term SC relates to the at least onesignaling channel and the reference term DC relates to the at least onedata channel.

EMBODIMENT(S) OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate an architecture that can be used forimplementing the invention. In FIG. 2, the reference term sSC relates toan available signaling channel, the reference term SC relates to asignaling channel and the reference term DC to a data channel. Themobile network nodes 10, 11, 12 etc. have the necessary infrastructure,including hardware and software components, to realize a describedmethod and/or system in accordance with this invention, in particular toset up the connections to the networks 20, 21, 22 etc. via the availableinterfaces. Mobile network nodes 10, 11, 12 etc. are to be understood asincluding, among other things. all possible Customer Premises Equipment(CPE) that are intended for use at different network locations and/orwith different networks, such as portable computers, PDAs (PersonalDigital Assistants), mobile radio terminals, desktop personal computers,server systems, or any other CPE. The mobile CPEs or network nodes 10,11, 12 etc. may possess one or more different network interfaces 30, 31,which may also support two or more different network standards 301, 302,303 etc., or 311, 312, 313 respectively, etc. The network interfaces 30,31 of a mobile network node 10, 11, 12 etc. may include e.g. interfacesto Ethernet or to another Wired LAN (Local Area Network), Bluetooth 304,314, GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) 301, 311, GPRS(Generalized Packet Radio Service), USSD (Unstructured SupplementaryServices Data), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) and/orWLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) 302, 312, xDSL (Digital SubscriberLine) 303, 313, IR (InfraRed) 305, 315 etc. The network interfaces 30,31 may however also include direct network connections between networkterminals, such as for example network connections based on a WLANconnection in the ad-hoc mode, UWB (Ultra Wide Band) or ZigBeeconnections (IEEE standard 802.15.x), IrDA (Infrared Data Association)connections or any other direct network connections. The referencenumbers 20, 21, 22 etc. correspondingly stand for the differentheterogeneous networks, such as a Wired LAN, i.e. a local landlinenetwork, in particular also the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network)etc., a Bluetooth network, e.g. for installations in covered locations,a mobile radio network with GSM and/or UMTS etc. or a Wireless LAN. Theinterfaces 30, 31 may possess not only packet-switched interfaces, suchas are used directly by network protocols such as Ethernet or tokenring, but also circuit-switched interfaces that can be used by means ofprotocols such as PPP (Point to Point Protocol), SLIP (Serial LineInternet Protocol) or GPRS (Generalized Packet Radio Service), i.e.interfaces that e.g. possess no network address, such as an MAC or a DLCaddress. The reference number 20 can designate e.g. the familiar,worldwide IP backbone network. As mentioned, communications can alsotake place e.g. via a mobile radio network 21 such as GSM or UMTS, alsofor example by means of special short messages, e.g. SMS (Short MessageServices), EMS (Enhanced Message Services), via a signaling channel,such as USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Services Data) or othertechniques, such as MExE (Mobile Execution Environment), GPRS(Generalized Packet Radio Service), WAP (Wireless Application Protocol)or UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) or via a servicechannel.

To create a communications link SC/DC and/or a communications networkSC/DC between mobile network nodes 10, 11, 12 etc., a correspondinginterface management module 40, 41 checks the mobile network node 10,11, 12 etc. for available network interfaces 30, 31, and creates alookup table 401, 411 of available network interfaces 30, 31. Asmentioned, the network interfaces 30, 31 are managed by an interfacemanagement module 40, 41. The network interfaces 30, 31 can be physicalinterfaces or e.g. network interfaces generated in software by theinterface management module 40, 41, i.e. virtual interfaces. Theinterface management module 40, 41 for example, after checking themobile node 10, 11, 21 for available network interfaces, links to one ofthe available network interfaces 30, 31. The checking of the networkinterfaces 30, 31 may occur e.g. at definable points in time orperiodically, i.e. following the expiry of a definable time window. Thechecking can be manually configurable or can be effected on a requestfor example from a kernel of the mobile network node 10, 11, 12. Thelookup table 401, 411 can in particular include information such aspossible data throughput rate, network availability, network stability,costs of network usage, data throughput rate, QoS (quality of service),etc. Linking to a particular interface 30, 31 can be effected on thebasis of definable criteria from the information stored in the lookuptable. In particular it may be sensible for the interface managementmodule 40, 41 automatically to change and update the interface 30, 31based on information in the lookup table. Linking to a particularinterface 30, 31 can however also be definable e.g. by the user and/orbe effected manually. The available network interfaces 30, 31 can beconfigured dynamically, e.g. by means of a DHCP (Dynamic HostConfiguration Protocol) service, if such resources are available, orstatically, e.g. by the user or on the basis of predefined configurationprofiles. One or more applications of the mobile network node 10, 11, 12etc. can e.g. access the heterogeneous networks 21, 21, 22 etc. via acurrent network interface.

Configuration data containing communications parameters and/or securityparameters, based on information stored in the lookup table, aretransmitted between the mobile network nodes via an available signalingchannel sSC. The available signaling channel is any suitablecommunications channel, for example the available signaling channel isbased on a GSM mobile radio network or any other appropriatecommunications network. Based on communications parameters and/orsecurity parameters, a signaling channel SC is set up between the firstmobile network node 10 and the second mobile network node 11 by means ofa signaling router module 50, 51, and a data channel DC is set upbetween the first mobile network node 10 and the second mobile networknode 11 by means of a data router module 60, 61. The signaling channelSC serves for example to relieve the available signaling channel sSC andrelease it for other applications and/or network nodes. As shown inparticular in FIGS. 1 and 2, the signaling channel SC and the datachannel DC can be set up based on different criteria via differentnetwork interfaces 30, 31 and network standards 301, 302, 303, 304, 305etc. and 311, 312, 313, 314, 315 etc. It is clear, of course, that ifthe criteria make sense, the signaling channel SC and the data channelDC can be effected via the same network connection. If the mobilenetwork node 10, 11, 12 changes the network interface 30, 31 or itstopological location on the network, the link to the network interface30, 31 can be updated via the interface management module 40, 41 basedon the information in the lookup table. For the data channel DC and/orthe signaling channel SC, a mobile IP module can take over theadministration of the IP addresses e.g. on a change of the networkinterface 30, 31. In the same way, an IPsec module can update e.g. anIPsec data tunnel configuration in accordance with the current networkconnection, whereupon the mobile IP module registers the new care-ofaddress with the home agent, so that the routing of the data packets tothe new location or to the new network link of the mobile network node10, 11, 12 etc. takes place, and updates the IP configuration with thehome agent, if necessary, in accordance with the current networkinterface or network interfaces. The sequence stated above is inaccordance with this invention, but it can also take place in thereverse order.

For setting up and/or creating the signaling and/or data channel SC/DC,configuration data containing communications parameters and/or securityparameters based on the first and/or second lookup table 401, 411 cane.g. be transmitted between the mobile network nodes 10, 11, 12 etc.Depending on the embodiment, the configuration data can e.g. betransmitted unidirectionally or bidirectionally between a first mobilenetwork node 10 and the second mobile network node 11. As describedabove, the corresponding interface management module 40, 41 can e.g.periodically check the first and/or the second mobile network node 10,11 for available network interfaces 30, 31 and update the respectivelookup table 401, 411. In the same way, the signaling channel SC cane.g. be dynamically adapted and/or changed by means of the signalingrouter module 50, 51 based on the first and/or second lookup table 401,411 and/or the communications parameters.

It is important to point out that, in accordance with the invention,further signaling channels SC can also e.g. be set up based on the firstand/or second lookup table 401, 411 and/or on the configuration data. Atthe same time, the individual signaling channels SC can be assigned todifferent communications parameters and/or security parameters. Theconfiguration data can be transmitted periodically and/or on anamendment of the lookup table 401, 411, and the one or more signalingchannels SC and/or one or more data channels DC can be dynamicallyrouted based on the transmitted configuration data. Both mobile networknodes 10, 11 can include a fallback signaling channel, whereby thefallback signaling channel is used as a temporary signaling channel SCin the event of interruption of one or more signaling channels SC. Theconfiguration data may furthermore include e.g. parameters fordetermining data security and/or reliability and/or the minimum datathroughput rate and/or the identification and/or paging and/or theauthentication of a signaling channel SC. The available networkinterfaces 30, 31 may be at least partially dynamically and/orstatically configured, unilaterally or bilaterally.

It remains to be mentioned that, in an exemplary embodiment extendedfrom the exemplary embodiment stated above, outgoing data packets arebuffered in a data buffer of the mobile network node 10, 11, 12 if thenetwork connection of the mobile network node 10, 11, 12 is interrupted,so that the output data rate of e.g. currently connected IP applicationsis maintained or kept within a defined fluctuation tolerance by means ofthe data buffer, i.e. as long as the storage capacity of the data bufferis sufficient to store the data packets. If the interruption of thenetwork connection lies within the time window for a connectiontime-out, e.g. provided for in the TCP, the output data rate e.g. for IPapplications can be held so that no automatic slowing down of the outputrate occurs due to the IP applications. The storage of the data packetscan take place e.g. continuously at an equal rate, or steadily slow downin accordance with the duration of the interruption. It should bepointed out that, precisely in the case of real-time applications, thedata buffer can play an important role in order to minimizeinterruptions and data loss in the event of a change of the topologicalnetwork location. In one exemplary embodiment, the data buffer can beassigned to a network interface 30, 31 in hardware or software or inintegrated form, but it can also be implemented separately in the mobilenetwork node 10, 11.

It is possible as an embodiment that the mobile network node 10, 11 canreceive the same data packet via two or more network interfaces 30, 31at the same time. This applies to both the signaling channel SC and thedata channel DC. Redundant data packets are then automaticallyidentified in higher layers and appropriately reduced. The simultaneoussending of data packets and the parallel reception of the same datapackets via two different network interfaces 30, 31 can guarantee e.g. aseamless transition from one interface 30, 31 to another via the mobilenode 10. When mobile IP is used, for example at least two care-ofaddresses corresponding to the currently connected network interlaces30, 31 can be assigned to the signaling channel SC and/or to the datachannel DC for a mobile node 10. If more than two network interfaces 30,31 are linked at the same time, the number of assigned care-of addressesis correspondingly increased. In correspondence with the said multipleregistration, the home agent routes the IP data packets, which hold thehome address of the mobile node 10 in the IP header, to the variousregistered care-of addresses in parallel, i.e. to different networkinterfaces of the mobile network node 10, 11, 12.

What is claimed:
 1. A method, comprising: creating by a mobile networknode, a lookup table of available network interfaces between the mobilenetwork node and at least one other mobile network node; transmittingconfiguration data based on the lookup table via an available signalingchannel; creating based on the configuration data, at least onesignaling channel via one of the available network interfaces; creating,by choosing one of the available network interfaces based on theconfiguration data, a data channel via one of the available networkinterface; updating the lookup table; and changing the data channel fromone available network interface to another available network interface,after determining based on the lookup table that quality of service ofthe one available network interface is insufficient.
 2. The methodaccording to claim 1, comprising utilizing different network interfacesfor configuration of the at least one signaling channel and/or for aconfiguration of the data channel different network interfaces are used.3. The method according to claim 1, comprising setting up two or moresignaling channels and/or two or more data channels.
 4. The methodaccording to claim 3, comprising assigning different network interfacesand/or communication parameters and/or security parameters to individualsignaling channels and/or individual data channels.
 5. The methodaccording to claim 1, comprising transmitting different configurationdata at definable points in time and/or on amendment of the lookuptable.
 6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the at least onesignaling channel and/or the data channel are dynamically adapted and/ordynamically changed based on the transmitted different configurationdata.
 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the configuration datais transmitted unidirectionally or bidirectionally between mobilenetwork nodes.
 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein theconfiguration data includes parameters for defining data security and/orreliability and/or minimum data throughput rate and/or identificationand/or paging and/or authentication of the at least one signalingchannel and/or of the data channel.
 9. The method according to claim 1,wherein the network interfaces are at least partially dynamicallyconfigured.
 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the networkinterfaces are at least partially statically configured.
 11. The methodaccording to claim 1, comprising buffering outgoing data packets if anetwork connection of the mobile network node is interrupted, so that anoutput data rate of connected applications is maintained or kept withina defined fluctuation tolerance by a data buffer.
 12. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the configuration data includes a cost ofusing the available network interfaces, and the choosing of the one ofthe available network interfaces is based on the chosen networkinterface having the lowest usage cost based on the configuration data.13. A system, comprising: a mobile network node that comprises: aninterface management module that comprises hardware, the interfacemanagement module being operable to create a lookup table concerningavailable network interfaces between the mobile network node and atleast one other mobile network node, and to update the lookup table; asignaling router module that comprises hardware, the signaling routermodule being operable to communicate configuration data based on thelookup table via an available signaling channel, and to create based onconfiguration data at least one signaling channel for transmission ofconfiguration data via one of the available network interfaces; and adata router module that comprises hardware, the data router module beingthat is operable to create a data channel, by choosing one of theavailable network interfaces based on the configuration data via one ofthe available network interfaces, and to change the data channel fromone available network interface to another available network interface,after determining based on the lookup table that quality of service ofthe one available network interface is insufficient.
 14. The systemaccording to claim 13, wherein different network interfaces are used forcreating the at least one signaling channel and/or for creating the datachannel.
 15. The system according to claim 13, wherein two or moresignaling channels and/or two or more data channels are created.
 16. Thesystem according to claim 15, wherein different communication parametersand/or security parameters are assigned to individual signaling channelsand/or individual data channels.
 17. The system according to claim 13,wherein different configuration data is transmitted at definable pointsin time and/or on amendment of the lookup table.
 18. The systemaccording to claim 17, wherein the at least one signaling channel and/orthe data channel are dynamically adjustable and/or dynamicallychangeable based on the transmitted configuration data.
 19. The systemaccording to claim 13, wherein the signaling router module is operableto act as a master signaling router module carrying out coordination ofthe creating the at least one signaling channel.
 20. The systemaccording to claim 13, wherein the data router module is operable to actas a master data router module carrying out coordination of the creatingof the data channel.
 21. The system according to claim 13, wherein theconfiguration data is transmitted unidirectionally or bidirectionallybetween mobile network nodes.
 22. The system according to claim 13,wherein the configuration data includes parameters for defining datasecurity and/or reliability and/or minimum data throughput rate and/oridentification and/or paging and/or authentication of the at least onesignaling channel and/or of the data channel.
 23. The system accordingto claim 13, wherein the network interfaces are at least partiallydynamically configured.
 24. The system according to claim 13, whereinthe network interfaces are at least partially statically configured. 25.The system according to claim 13, wherein the mobile network nodecomprises a data buffer for buffering outgoing data packets if a networkconnection of the mobile network node is interrupted, so that an outputdata rate of connected applications is maintained or kept within adefined fluctuation tolerance by a data buffer.
 26. The system accordingto claim 13, wherein the configuration data includes a cost of using theavailable network interfaces, and the choosing of the one of theavailable network interfaces is based on the chosen network interfacehaving the lowest usage cost based on the configuration data.